A survey has shown that more than 80 pc of mosques in Punjab and the federal capital did not implement the agreement reached between the government and Ulema regarding the first Taraweeh congregations on Saturday.
In Multan, Bahawalpur,Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Vehari, Khanewal,Lodhran,Sadiqabad, Rahimyarkhan ,Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Kotadu ,the mosques were packed with worshippers.However,some people were observing the Government SOPs and they have left a distance of one man space. but they were not observing all the 20 points .The survey used a standardised checklist that consisted of four of the 20 points of the agreement.
Pakistan is the only country in the region to have eased restrictions, allowing congregational prayers of Taraweeh -- special nightly prayers performed during Ramadan.
However, children, those over 50 years old, and people suffering flu-like symptoms were barred from taking part in the Taraweeh prayers at mosques.
In March, Pakistan banned congregational prayers and other religious gatherings at mosques for an indefinite period in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus
So far, Islamabad has reported 13,105 cases and 272 deaths while 2,866 patients have recovered and were discharged from medical care.
Bangladesh on Friday also announced it would allow a maximum of 12 people, including an imam to lead the prayer and muezzin to make the call to prayer, to attend Tarawih.
On April 4, the Muslim-majority country suspended all religious events, gatherings and joint prayers due to the virus outbreak. However the imam, muezzin and three other mosque officials were allowed to offer daily prayers at mosques.
Meanwhile, authorities in Afghanistan, the Maldives and Muslim organizations in India have advised Muslims to perform Terawih at home and avoid gatherings during Ramadan.
On Thursday, the Maldives reported a record number of daily cases with 22, with the total exceeding 100.
Muslim organizations in India have also asked the country's more than 200 million Muslims to pray at home and avoid gatherings in Ramadan.
After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions across the world.
Pakistan is the only country in the region to have eased restrictions, allowing congregational prayers of Taraweeh -- special nightly prayers performed during Ramadan.
However, children, those over 50 years old, and people suffering flu-like symptoms were barred from taking part in the Taraweeh prayers at mosques.
In March, Pakistan banned congregational prayers and other religious gatherings at mosques for an indefinite period in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus
So far, Islamabad has reported 13,105 cases and 272 deaths while 2,866 patients have recovered and were discharged from medical care.
Bangladesh on Friday also announced it would allow a maximum of 12 people, including an imam to lead the prayer and muezzin to make the call to prayer, to attend Tarawih.
On April 4, the Muslim-majority country suspended all religious events, gatherings and joint prayers due to the virus outbreak. However the imam, muezzin and three other mosque officials were allowed to offer daily prayers at mosques.
Meanwhile, authorities in Afghanistan, the Maldives and Muslim organizations in India have advised Muslims to perform Terawih at home and avoid gatherings during Ramadan.
On Thursday, the Maldives reported a record number of daily cases with 22, with the total exceeding 100.
Muslim organizations in India have also asked the country's more than 200 million Muslims to pray at home and avoid gatherings in Ramadan.
After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions across the world.
These are that Taraweeh should not be conducted on roads and footpaths, there should be a six feet distance between worshippers on all four sides, people should not do ablution in mosques and they should wear face masks while coming to mosques.
As many as 40 observers were deployed to conduct the survey and each visited four to five mosques during Taraweeh prayers on April 24.
The report said: “Violation of the agreement is highly likely to continue in coming days unless the government takes stern action against the violators.”
The surveyors observed 194 mosques in 15 cities and towns and photographed the violations.
The data released by the NGO showed that in 96pc of the observed mosques people were found praying on pavements and roads and nearly 89pc of the worshippers did not wear face masks.
Besides, in 72pc and 69pc of the observed mosques, the worshippers did not maintain the 6ft distance and were found doing ablution in the mosques.
In the few mosques where some distance was maintained, this did not amount to 6ft. Photos clearly established massive violation of the important mitigation measure.
In more than two-thirds of the observed mosques, children were also found alongside their elders.
The observation was made in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Kamalia, Jhang, Layyah, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kabirwala ,Taunsa,Rajanpur, Jampur, Kot mithan, Shorkot, Kot Adu and Alipur.
The report said local administration and police warned khateebs and imams about the instructions, “but it appears that police did not bother to carry out the practice in remote areas and congested neighbourhoods.”
While the compliance level was better in bigger and central mosques mainly due to fears of surveillance, “this does not mean that these mosques are less likely to spread the virus,” said the NGO.
It has been suggested that with sufficient evidence available the government should make places of congregations safe for the citizens.
The report demanded the government and health authorities disinfect mosques on a daily basis as it was highly likely that the virus would be carried by worshippers to their homes and communities.
Pattan said the situation was very dangerous and 100pc implementation of the agreement was not possible.
